There’s something undeniably endearing about The Ottawa Mission’s food services training program (FSTP) and the stories it shares, which really inspire people to get behind the cause and support it.

Each year, Ottawa business leaders Sheila Whyte and Lawrence Greenspon carry on the tradition of co-chairing the Blue Door Gala, raising significant funds for the program. Whyte runs a well-established catering business and take-home food store called Thyme & Again, while Greenspon, with Greenspon Granger Hill, is one of the best-known criminal defence and civil litigation lawyers in town.

The FSTP was launched in 2004 by Chef Ric Watson, director of The Mission’s food services, soon after he joined the nonprofit, which remains committed to helping those facing homelessness and poverty. Watson saw it as way of getting unemployed people to re-enter the workforce by teaching them — at no cost to the individuals — the skills to work in a commercial kitchen. Don’t let his trademark crossed-arms stance fool you, Chef Ric – as he’s fondly known — is one of the most approachable guys you’ll ever meet.

The Ottawa Mission’s FSTP became such a hit that it eventually required a dedicated space of its own. With some philanthropic help, it found a new home four years ago in a former bakery on Rideau Street, where it now operates as a teaching space and social enterprise, through its catering services and meals. It’s called Chef Ric’s (once you build something this successful, you probably deserve to see your name in lights, right?). The program is now able to train 90 up-and-coming cooks each year, dividing them into three cohorts. Ninety per cent of the students land jobs by the time they graduate, according to The Ottawa Mission.

The FSTP recently expanded to a second location — the Taggart Family YMCA on Argyle Avenue. There, its students are continuing to gain hands-on experience while offering healthy and affordable meals to the public, including to residents living in the Y’s transitional housing.

Chef Ric Watson, better known simply as Chef Ric, at the kickoff for The Ottawa Mission’s Blue Door Gala taking place at Infinity Convention Centre on Thursday, Nov. 6 in support of the Mission’s food services training program. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This past Thursday, supporters and organizers of the upcoming Blue Door Gala came together at the Barrhaven-based headquarters of Caivan for the official gala launch.

The special evening returns Thursday, Nov. 6 to Infinity Convention Centre.

It’s the eighth year that the home builder — represented by its executive vice president of sales and marketing,  Jonathan Wiseman — has signed on as presenting sponsor. “It’s something that we really do look forward to every fall,” said Wiseman, who described The Ottawa Mission as a role model for the work it does in the community. “You really are changing lives.”

Last week’s gathering was a chance to pump up the gala — which is 95 per cent sold out — and to hear from the participating chefs about the inspired menu they’re cooking up for their 650 guests. Present were award-winning chef and restaurateur Joe Thottungal (Coconut Lagoon, Thali), who will be in charge of the appetizer; chefs Jesse Bell and Stephen La Salle, who are handling the main course; and Claude Leblond (High Liner Foods) and Ikuo Kanbayashi (Canadian Ice Carving Society), who will prepare food for the cocktail hour. Thyme & Again is doing the dessert, a sticky toffee pudding with browned-butter streusel with Irish Chantilly cream.

Also present were such long-time supporters as Scrivens Insurance and Investment Solutions’ Claude Miron and Jake Scrivens. From the volunteer organizing committee members were retired executive coach Judy Charles; Andrea Laurin, also representing gala sponsor Laurin Group; and dedicated community builder Joseph Cull. Margaret Dickenson, who’s been an integral part of the local culinary scene for decades, and retired hotelier Steve Georgopoulos were out to show their support, as well.

Chef Joe Thottungal, owner of Coconut Lagoon and Thali restaurants, described the appetizer — a crispy crab-and-potato tikki topped with tamarind drizzle, served with avocado salsa, microgreens, and plantain chips — that he’s preparing for the Blue Door Gala, happening Thursday, Nov. 6 at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Fr. Nicolas El-Kada (Saint Charbel Parish, and board member with The Ottawa Mission), Claude Miron (Scrivens Insurance), The Ottawa Mission’s CFO, Brian Coburn, and Jake Scrivens (Scrivens Insurance) at Caivan headquarters for the kickoff of The Ottawa Mission’s Blue Door Gala, taking place Nov. 6 at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Ottawa Mission’s CEO, Peter Tilley, in conversation with Jonathan Wiseman, executive vice president of sales and marketing at presenting sponsor Caivan, at the kickoff for the upcoming Blue Door Gala to raise funds for the nonprofit’s food services training program. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Chefs Jesse Bell, left, and Stephen La Salle described their planned main course: braised beef cheek, white bean and smoked corn succotash, spiced pumpkin purée, star anise jus, and crispy spinach with herb oil. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Volunteer organizing committee members, from left, Andrea Laurin, Joseph Cull and Judy Charles at Caivan headquarters for the kickoff of the Blue Door Gala, happening Nov. 6, 2025, at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Guest Steve Georgopoulos at Caivan headquarters for the kickoff of The Ottawa Mission’s Blue Door Gala, taking place Nov. 6 at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, chefs Ikuo Kanbayashi (Canadian Ice Carving Society), Claude Leblond (High Liner Culinary), Joe Thottungal (Coconut Lagoon, Thali), Jesse Bell, Stephen La Salle and Arneet Singh Batra (Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Institute) are all helping out at the Blue Door Gala to help plan and prepare the dishes to be served to guests. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon, and his Blue Door Gala co-chair Sheila Whyte welcomed invited guests to Caivan headquarters for the kickoff of the signature fundraiser for The Ottawa Mission and its food services training program, happening Nov. 6 at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From The Ottawa Mission team are, from left, Emma Iris (events officer and grant writer), Namrata Goyes (director of development), Peter Tilley (CEO) and Sylvie Corbin (manager of philanthropy) at home-builder Caivan headquarters for the kickoff to the Blue Door Gala, happening Nov. 6 at Infinity Convention Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Margaret Dickenson with her good friend Joe Thottungal, one of the Ottawa  chefs who will be helping with this year’s dinner for the Blue Door Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips

One of the highlights of the gathering was learning about the impact the FSTP has had on Julia Godin‘s life.

The 23 year old openly shared how she’d been feeling “isolated, lost and drained” after finding herself out of work and facing repeated rejection. Company downsizing had led to her being laid off from her sales job.

“I applied to almost 100 different entry-level job openings, only to result in an inbox full of rejection letters or leads that ultimately led to dead ends because I didn’t have enough experience or the education that was required.”

(Godin started working in sales right out of high school, skipping the post-secondary education route).

“For the first time in my life, I was running into debt as I tried to cover my rent and pay my bills,” said Godin. “What a lot of people don’t realize is how easy it is to be overcome by debt, even if you’re working hard with the best intentions.”

Once the young woman learned about the FSTP, she “never looked back.”

Julia Godin shared the journey of how she went from struggling with unemployment to discovering The Ottawa Mission’s food services training program. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Godin said she’d always had an interest and passion for cooking but lacked the experience to get hired and the money to pay for culinary training. So, she “took a leap of faith” and applied to the program. “This time, my application wasn’t rejected.”

Godin described the four-month program as hard work but, in the process, she acquired new skills, made new friends and learned to value teamwork. “The people are what made the program,” said Godin.

She also learned “how to chop an onion in five seconds flat, proper knife handling skills, cook dishes to serve hundreds of people, and work in a hot kitchen on a 40+ degree July day — still working as a team through it all.”

Said Godin: “Coming from a background in sales, where it was usually ‘every man for themselves’, it was so refreshing that Chef Ric’s and this program felt like one big happy family.”

The top student reflected on how much the program has changed her life. Godin is currently employed in the kitchen at Tavern on the Hill and has regained her mojo when it comes to applying for and interviewing for jobs.

“Just a handful of months ago, I felt like I was at a crossroads in my life, without any sense of which direction I could take, or how I could even take the first step … I’ve gone from feeling lost to finding a career path I’m passionate about. I am so thankful to The Ottawa Mission and the food services training program for starting me on this journey within the culinary industry.”

Attendees of the Blue Door Gala will get to cheer on the latest graduates as they proudly receive their certificates from Chef Ric during the evening.

For more information about the gala, check out the website.

From left, Jonathan Wiseman from presenting sponsor Caivan, The Ottawa Mission’s Peter Tilley and “Chef Ric” Watson, with Blue Door Gala co-chairs Sheila Whyte and Lawrence Greenspon, kicking off the launch for the upcoming Blue Door Gala with a good ol’ fashioned ribbon cutting. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.

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